Advantages of simultaneous election in Bharat

Free Thinker *

'India' or 'Bharat' ? the latter sounds heart-warming. Article one of Bharat Constitution says while defining "name and territory of the Union" – India that is Bharat shall be a Union of States. With a simple Constitutional amendment the word India may be replaced by Bharat wherever applicable. If all lawmakers agree then it can be done unanimously. I don't think it will provoke or invoke "basic structure".

Elections are indispensable for democracy. However, frequent elections compel us to spend a lot of time, money, energy etc.. . In the last few years we have been in election mode almost every year; after the Parliamentary general elections we are having a series of State Assembly elections – five already lined up.

We were having simultaneous elections till the late sixties since independence. Holding simultaneous elections is really a prudent proposal made by Modi ji. It will save a lot of money, human resources and most importantly National time.

Everyone in Bharat is speculating that there may be crucial Bills to pass in the special session of Parliament commencing from 18 Sep 2023 . One anticipation is that there may be discussion, deliberation and debate on the issue of 'one country one election'.

Though I have very little knowledge of Bharat Constitution - there is nothing called a special session. But there is provision for secret session, where no one except the Members and few officials are allowed.

Whatever it may be, a session is summoned for a purpose. Normally we have 3 Sessions namely Budget Session, Monsoon Session and Winter Session. In addition we may have any number of sessions–if the Government desires. The only Constitutional requirement is that there should be a session at least once in six months.

Perhaps this session is called to bid farewell to the old colonial Parliament to shift to the new Bharat Parliament on the sacred occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is believed that whenever you have a new beginning the invocation of Lord Ganesh is auspicious. You know well who are behind Ganesh ji. Even Vishnu ji does not want to contest His father unnecessarily.

Simultaneous election also saves a lot of money for the Political Parties. More over the Business Houses and Rich people will also be happy that they need to invest once in 5 five years. Otherwise they have to spend or rather be extorted every now and then in the name of elections.

Every voter is used to getting a good amount of money in every election from the candidates or from the Parties. If the elections are clubbed together this income may go down for them-that is the fear.

The parties may give a reduced lump-sum amount for their candidates for both Assembly and Parliamentary seats. Candidates including the existing elected Member will try to repair the roads, arrange potable water, clean the drains, help the poor, extend medical assistance; even construct houses for homeless people just before the elections. If you ask me about frequency of elections–my personal reply is in affirmative because of the above reasons.

But we have to bring the National interest in the forefront. Assuming that a family of six voters earns six thousand rupees in an election from the candidates/parties they can simply start a small business, like opening a local grocery store, tea stall, pan-dukan or vegetable stall.

From a single election a voter may get a small amount of money which he/she normally spends on momentary pleasure etc. A simultaneous election for both Parliament and Assembly means larger number of candidates and multiple pecuniary possibilities.

Once you gather a good amount of money as a voter you can always think of investment or taking up some small business for yourself or the family. Simultaneous election allows for the people/voters to generate more income.

Don't blame me for endorsing vote buying/selling business. It is already there. A big family can gather a substantial amount of money during such an election and they can start a good business like piggery or poultry, or pisciculture, or viticulture or horticulture or apiculture etc. So, simultaneous election can be an economic boon.

We are to achieve a 5 trillion economy in no time and at the same time to generate employment and increase per capita income. By conducting simultaneous election we are encouraging families to earn a substantial amount of money from the contestants of both Assembly and Parliamentary seats; if possible from the parties directly.

This will enable them to start a start-up for make-in-Bharat and stand-up-Bharat giving impetus for local to global. Simultaneous election is not merely a political agenda but also an economic agenda.

For a simultaneous National poll we may require to amend five Articles of the Bharat Constitution – Art. 83, 85, 172, 174 and 356. The amendments need to be ratified by 50 percent of the States.

Some politicians have the apprehension that the regional and local issues will be suppressed by National agendas in such synchronous election. Nothing to worry, it all depends on the maneuvering skill of the leaders or candidates or parties. 'One Nation one election' is redeemable as we were doing it before 1967.